While I like the idea of remakes; watching other actors' versions of what's already familiar, I do believe that no one else could ever come even close to Anthony Quinn's perfection as "Alexis Zorba".
Certainly not from among today's best actors, who, although they could "do" the role, theoretically, - they'd simply never approach their incomparable predecessor.
To speculate/fantasize, a bit:
If career-eras weren't a problem, ie, if a Wells-ian "time-machine" existed and were available to gather the best from all of film-making's long history, - perhaps the closest in dramatic stature and physical impressiveness (to Quinn and to "Zorba")
might include such as Clark Gable, Victor Mature, Gregory Peck, or Walter Matthau, Jack Palance, Jeff Chandler (though a little below the right age, at his untimely death), or Walter Pidgeon, each in their respective middle-age, - and perhaps adapting their speech, somewhat, so as not to seem too "American"). I'd include Burt Lancaster, of course, - except that he actually WAS considered, but turned the role down.
-All this, bearing in mind, though, that Quinn would remain the Ultimate ideal in the role, as he proved to be.
For the role of "Basil/Nico", a young Tyrone Power, Montgomery Clift, or Peter Strauss (of tv-miniseries fame); "Hortense" - Anna Magnani or Ingrid Bergman.
"The Widow" - Sophia Loren.
- Just some fanciful ideas, - nothing more.
Unfortunately,
The "Powers That Be" would probably choose Banderas, Di Caprio, Bullock (as "Hortense"!), and J-Lo (!). So much for today's casting-counterparts!
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